Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-11

the most rlgid economy, ana acquired
an enormous fortune.
Other firms identified with the Balsi-
more and Ohio deal on this side are
Brown Brothers and Kidder, Peabody
& Co. II is curious to notice how
closely the dry-goods trade is connect
ed with the history of great financial
houses. The.house OF Brown Brothers
was founded in Baltimore early in the
present century, not as bankers, but as
commission merchants in dry goods,
largely in linens imported from Belfast,
the original members of the house be-
ing Irishmen. After some years a
branch house was established in New
York, and at first only a dry-goods bust
ness was done, but later on the firm be-
gan to advance money on cotton, and as
time went on similar aid was given to
the cotton trades and other branches
Of business. IS the banking business
of the house increased the dry-goods
trade was gradually dropped, until the
finn finally became prominent as full
hedged bankers. One OF the oldest
members of the firm, as it is now con-
stituted, is James NJ. Brown, who is
about sixty-fve years Of age, but walks
miles every day for the sake OF the ex-
erclse and The physical benefit expert
onced. He lives on Fifth avenue, but
sometimes walks clear down to Wall
street. He is president of the Cham
her of Commerce and a member of the
Union League.
Kidder, Peabody & Co. are identified
with the deal, but there is nothing note
worthy concerning the personnel of the
house except that Oliver Peabody, one
of the firm, is relative of the famous
George Peabody.
sULLY.
As to the deal itself, it looks as
though Alfred Sully would gain his
point and make the Richmond Termi-
nal great through route to the South.
Mr.. Sully is one of the pleasantest men
in Wall street there is a shrewd look
in the eyes that peer pleasantly but
keenly into the face of an interlocutor
and Jolly laugh on occasion. He IS
man Of decided ability and varied at
tainments. He is not merely man OF
ideals and figures he has scholarly
tastes, and owns very fine library.
No one could be more unpretentious
than this man, trained as lawyer, Of
Canadian birth, but thorough Ameri-
can in feeling, and who, after winning
success i'll his profession, wins still
greater success in the domain OF
finance, that battlefield of keen wits
with millions for the prize.
What sharp rivalry What bitter
jealousy, what slyness and deceit one
often secs in these financial battles.
Mr.. Sully, however, has pushed his
way to success by no undermined
tricks, though diplomacy of which q
Talleyrand might have been proud has
often contributed to the consummation
of his projects. Newspaper-men like
him because he either tells the truth or
remains silent.
Then there is Calvin S. Brice, the
Baron Munchausen OF New York
finance. He sits at his desk in the
Astor buildinG on Wall street, short
man OF why build and with broad
shoulders, pcrpetually smoking or
chewing a cigar, nervous IN manner,
bluff and oil-hand, ready enough to
talk and liberal in contributions Of
Ections to the news columns of the
PRESS. though there is tradition that
he once, possibly in a moment OF men
tai alteration. told reporter the truth.
re is an Ohio lawyer, rich, about forty
five years of age, pushing, not WIKI
out ability, and seems to BE- feeling his
way to a bold attempt to secure a
mortgage on the planet. Just now ne
has his keen, gray eyes ON "a place II
the new Baltimore and ONO directory.
He is vice-presidont OF the East Ten
ucsscc, Virginia and Georgia road, and
is also identified with That new grant OF
the railroad word, the Richmond and
West Point Terminal. His success in
New York illustrates the power OF au
dacity and ability in the financial world.
He came here with little, but now he is
worth a million or more, lives in fine
style here or at Newport, and Is push
ing his way with something ike n swag-
ger towards social as we'll rs financial
prominence.
Meanwhile there is q good deal OF
senseless abuse of Robert Garrett. His
father, the late John ". Garrett, could
hardly have succeeded any better iii
some respects, for the Baltimore and
Ohio WAS one against many. Young
Garrett is rich, and has sense enough
to he glad to retire and enjoy his
wealth.
DIR. LAsSING POINTS OUT DANGER.
While at the Hoffman House art-gal-
lery the other evening the bartender cut
his hand While openings bottle of Rhine
wine. So perfect was the disciple OF
that distinguished hosiery that before
attending to his wound hethre " the cork
half-covered with his blood into some
receptacle beneath the bar, then ted
up the Injured member, and went on
with bis duties.
"You are more careful with the cork
than with your hand, remarked pa-
tron of the house.
u ittllc DANtNlhS AA'lI VI iN'' H'N'
but little harm" replied the dispenser
of fragrant beverages, "and We get in
the habit of taking care Of the corks
and do it instinctiyely. They're a val
liable commodity"
"Where does the value come in?
"Why, we and every other btr-roOm
in the city sell them to the cork ped
dlers. i house like this will draw as
high as 1000 corks in a day, and can
dispose Of them a dozen times over.
| don't know what the pejdlers DO
with them; but guess that they sell them
TO saltwater men and manufacturers
Of ginger-ale and other cheap drinks. "
Among the party which listened to
the conversation was DR.. Henry Las
sing, the editor of the american
analyst. He said, after the bartender
had ceased a have looked into the
secondhand cork business and find it
OF great interest. These corks are sold
to peddlers who make the business a
speciality. They collect anywhere from
5000 corks a day apiece. A few of
them take the corks home, boil them
in water or with dilute I've, separate
them according to kinds and sizes, and
then sell them to wine-dealers and bot
tiers. The majority of the peddlers
on direct from the saloons to their ems